Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom:
Every classroom has those students who misbehave on occasion, including Ms. Lee’s class. I think that teachers who believe that their classrooms should be perfect and never have behavior problems don’t need to be teachers. Today, just as with every other day I have observed, I witnessed a few of these behavior problems myself. I think that actually working one on one with the students is a great way to learn what works for you when it comes to discipline. One child I seemed to notice above all the rest was a young boy by the name of Eli. After watching this child constantly getting distracted from his work I decided to walk over and ask him a few questions. Although I knelt down and got right beside his ear and asked him why he wasn’t doing his work, he still paid no attention. After repeatedly asking him this question I began to get frustrated so I walked away. Ms. Lee later informed me that Eli had been diagnosed as ADD and that his attention span was incredibly minute. I think that Ms. Lee should have let me know this the first day of school so I would have known the situation and not become frustrated with him.
As the day progressed I witnessed another student by the name of Jay who was acting out a bit in front of the class. I thought at first that Jay was just a funny child who liked to make others laugh, but I soon learned different. As I knelt down and whispered in his ear to sit down and get to work I saw this look of fear cross his face. I think that many times teachers are too quick to reprimand students when they don’t know how to do their work which in my opinion has these negative effects on children. Jay let me know that he didn’t understand what he was doing so I then took the time to explain it to him one on one. I believe that good teachers will not be quick to punish a child for misbehaving, but will first find out the underlying problem. After I took the time to help Jay it was like he turned into another child.
I think that overall the behavior problems in Ms. Lee’s class are few and far between. Expecting children to do as they are told at all times is ludicrous as we are all aware, so stressing out over the small stuff is not worth it. Like I have been told many times before by my mother who used to be a teacher, “You have to pick your battles.”
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- My name is Sara Webb and I am studying to be a teacher. As of now I have completed 50 hours of field experience at Mill Creek Elementary in Mrs. Lee's 1st grade classroom and I loved every minute of it, although I don't think I am interested in teaching children this young. Today I started my field experience for this semester at Stilson Elementary School in Mrs. Langes 3rd grade classroom and I fell in love with this grade automatically. I love the independence that children at this age have, but yet the innocence they still possess.
Sara,
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more! I think it takes an incredible amount of patience and understanding to be a teacher, and if you don't have that you are in the wrong place! I was a substitute teacher right out of high school. Huge mistake because I had neither of the 2. I thought kids were just being disruptive and bad if they weren't on task, but i've learned through education classes that they are still kids! My attention span isn't hours long and believing a 2nd or 1st graders is is a huge mistake! Oh and about the ADD. I am not sure why they don't tell us either b/c i think it would help us tremendously to know why students are the way they are. But I think it's against some policy to let us know. Patience is half the battle so keep it up!
Hi Sara!
ReplyDeleteI belive every classroom is going to have some kind of behavior problems, and every teacher has to find their own way of dealing with such instances! When it comes down to it, patience is the root of the strength that we have to have in order to keep our classroom as calm as possible! Hope you continue to witness things that will teach you alot! Good luck this semester:)
Good Job talking to Jay and letting him that he did wrong and being patient with him. I agree completely that teachers need to know that they are going to have rowdy students and possibly rowdy classrooms and that we have to not only manage our classroom and students but our own tempers. We need to realize how to handle certain situations with different students. I think you did a great job keeping your cool with both Eli and Jay. Have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you were so patient with the disruptive student. It so important as teachers to remain calm when addressing behavior problems. As teachers, we are going to face many problems and will have to provide quick solutions. I think you handled this one well and will one day make a great teacher.
ReplyDeleteI can't always say that I have had enough patience for teaching. It wasn't until I got my afterschool program job that my patience begain to grow. I know how important it is for you as the teacher or consulor to remain calm in stressful situations. I have had noses bleeds happen by the pool, fights in the gym, and boys using the bathroom on the playground. Each one of thoses times I have wanted to either go off on the child of shoo him away but I have learned how to deal with them while remaining calm.
ReplyDeleteBehavior will always be an issue in any class we are in and I think you did a good job in your specific situation. The students who misbehave almost always have a deeper underlying issue. I agree that teachers too often punish their students without taking the time to think about or ask why the bad behavior is taking place. I know the everyday ins and outs of being a teacher are tough but we have to do our best to maintain patience and understanding. Classroom management is key to a successful and healthy learning environment.
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